The Monastery of Our Lady of the Valley (1900-1950) was a Trappist monastery in Cumberland, Rhode Island. It was founded by the monastic community of l’Abbaye du Petit Clairvaux from Tracadie, Nova Scotia, who moved to the United States after a series of devastating fires destroyed their monastery. Over the span of its 50 years of existence, the community of the Valley transformed the swampy, rocky landscape and planted crops, cultivated fruit orchards, raised livestock, drilled an artesian well, cleared the swamplands, paved roads, and excavated granite from the quarry. They also constructed a series of nine buildings on the property, from a one story wooden shack to a beautiful Gothic cathedral. On March 21st, 1950, a terrible fire destroyed the chapel and guest house buildings, forcing the community to resettle in Spencer, Massachusetts, where they reside today at Saint Joseph’s Abbey.
The contents of this collection have been assembled and acquired by the Cumberland Public library since 1976, the year that the library opened.
The collection has been organized by format (postcards, books, photographs, periodicals, pamphlets and booklets, journals and scrapbooks, certificates of association and affiliation, and physical objects).
Though the Cumberland Public Library physically owns the items in this collection, researchers are responsible for determining any copyright restrictions.
Items in this collection are open to researchers by appointment only. Alternatively, some items have been digitized and are available to view at https://cumberlibdigital.omeka.net/
Item title, Our Lady of the Valley Monastery Collection, Cumberland Public Library
Materials were acquired by and donated to the library throughout the past five decades, ever since the library opened in 1976. Certain items in this collection have been donated to the library by former monks of the monastery, by members of Saint Joseph's Abbey and Mount Saint Mary's Abbey, and by Cumberland residents.
Accruals are expected.
Some items have been digitized, and are available to view at https://cumberlibdigital.omeka.net/
A collection of postcards depicting various views of Our Lady of the Valley, Saint Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, MA, and Mount Saint Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, MA.
These postcards depict the first and second temporary structures that were constructed on the property, the first in 1900 and the second in 1901.
Views of the façade of the Guest House building (also called the 1902 Building)
This collection of postcards depicts photographs of the interior of the first permanent building constructed on the property: the Guest House (or 1902 building). This building, before the construction of the Chapel in 1928, served as the entire monastery and housed both guests and religious.
A collection of images depicting the small stone shrine that was located adjacent to the 1902 building. This grotto once contained a statue of the Virgin Mary, and was deconstructed to make way for the Chapel Building.
Images of the interior and façade of the Chapel. Constructed in 1928.
Photographs of the cloister and chapter room that were located on the second floor of the Chapter Wing (1931).
Various views of the grounds, farmlands, and farm buildings of the monastery
Photographs of the Monastic Community of Mount Saint Mary's Abbey in Wrentham, MA
Various views of Saint Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. After the fire that destroyed Our Lady of the Valley in March of 1950, the community moved to Spencer, MA where they constructed a new monastery: Saint Joseph's Abbey
In 1942, 19 year old Providence photographer, Edwin B. McDermott, was invited to take photographs of the buildings and grounds of Our Lady of the Valley with the purpose of turning the photographs into postcards. Donated to the library in the 1970s, these photographs offer the best look of what the monastery looked like before the 1950 fire.
A collection of photographs of the Gilleese family, who was visiting Br. Xavier (Joseph) Gilleese at Our Lady of the Valley Monastery.
Br. Gilleese entered the Monastery after WWII and left shortly after the fire of March 21, 1950.
A series of photographs documenting the extensive damage caused by the fire of March 21, 1950
Photographs depicting the ruined Chapel and Guest House buildings
Two pyraglass photographs: one of the founder of the Society of the Atonement, Fr. Paul Wattson, S.A., and one of a group of Graymoor Friars playing croquet on the front lawn of the monastery.
A collection of photographs depicting what the buildings that made up the monastery complex looked like before the fire of March 21, 1950
Scrapbook containing photographs, newspaper clippings, postcards, and letters memorializing those who have died at Our Lady of the Valley Monastery from the early 1900s to the 1940s.
A journal written by Fr. Joseph Conaghan (1853-1926), containing essays, poetry, and accounts of daily life at the monastery in its early years
A scrapbook containing newspaper clippings and transcribed newspaper articles detailing the March 21, 1950 fire.
One photograph of Br. Anthony, two typewritten copies of his obituary, two newspaper clippings from the Providence Journal documenting his funeral, one handwritten sign announcing his death to the rest of the monastic community, and two letters from his sister
A postcard from Fr. John O'Connor to Br. Paul, and 5 newspaper clippings covering Br. Paul's death and funeral
Two letters from Fr. John Mary Murphy addressed to the Shannon family, dated 19 August, 1898 and 25 March, 1898
Two letters written by Abbott General Sebastien Wyart to Fr. John Mary Murphy. The first letter is a handwritten copy of the Apostolic Letter of Pope XIII concerning the Order of Reformed Cistercians of the Strict Observance (1892). The second is a message wishing blesssings for the new year (1899).